Principles and Practice of Research : Strategies for Surgical Investigators

emerging on the surgical scene to challenge or­ For some readers, the title of this book will im­ thodoxy. Although these innovations are often mediately raise the question, what exactly is greeted with great optimism, a factual basis for meant by surgical research? In the very broadest that enthusiasm is sometimes far from secure sense the term can be taken to include all en­ and much further work is frequently required to deavors, however elementary or limited in discover whether we are dealing with genuine scope, to advance surgical knowledge. Ideally, advances or not. it refers to well-organized attempts to establish The most exciting and attractive scenario for on a proper scientific basis, i. e. , to place beyond surgical research is unquestionably one that de­ reasonable doubt, the truth or otherwise of any picts a successful attempt by a researcher to es­ concepts, old or new, within the ambit of sur­ gery, and, of course, anaesthesia. tablish the accuracy of some bold innovation for which he himself is responsible. Joseph Lister, The methods used to achieve that end vary demonstrating by clinical trial that wound sup­ enormously, depending on the issue being in­ vestigated. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Introduction....Pages 1-3 Front Matter....Pages 5-5 Historical Evolution: Methods, Attitudes, Goals....Pages 7-17 Philosophy of Surgical Research....Pages 18-19 Roles for the Surgical Investigator....Pages 20-25 The Development of the Surgical Investigator....Pages 26-35 Facilitating Scholarship: Creating the Atmosphere, Setting, and Teamwork for Research....Pages 36-42 Front Matter....Pages 43-43 Systematically Reviewing Previous Work....Pages 45-52 Endpoints for Clinical Studies: Conventional and Innovative Variables....Pages 53-68 Statistics Demystified....Pages 69-87 Organizing a Clinical Study....Pages 88-95 Some Things You Should Know About Computers....Pages 96-105 Ten Tips on Preparing Research Proposals....Pages 106-111 Critical Appraisal of Published Research....Pages 112-117 Ethical Principles in Surgical Research....Pages 118-131 Front Matter....Pages 133-135 The Marburg Experiment....Pages 137-148 Animal Experimentation....Pages 149-161 A Case Study of the Evolution of a Surgical Research Project....Pages 162-165 Clinical Research....Pages 166-179 Multicentre Collaborative Clinical Trials in Surgical Research....Pages 180-194 Evaluation of the Diagnostic Process....Pages 195-206 Front Matter....Pages 133-135 Health Services Research: Focus on Surgery....Pages 207-221 Selected Non-Experimental Methods: An Orientation....Pages 222-229 Front Matter....Pages 231-231 Writing an Effective Abstract....Pages 233-235 The Ten-Minute Presentation....Pages 236-239 The Longer Talk....Pages 240-245 Presenting Your Work at International Meetings....Pages 246-248 Chairing Panels, Seminars and Consensus Conferences....Pages 249-253 The Poster Session, Audio Visual Aids....Pages 254-267 Writing for Publication....Pages 268-275 What to Do When You Are Asked to Write a Chapter for a Book....Pages 276-278 Front Matter....Pages 279-279 Surgical Research in Canada....Pages 281-288 Contributions from France....Pages 289-292 Traditions and Transitions in Germany....Pages 293-298 Japan’s Integration of Eastern Values and Modern Science....Pages 299-305 New Initiatives and Ideas in Spain....Pages 306-317 Orderly Evolution to a Better Future in Sweden....Pages 318-323 The Confluence of Private and Public Resources in Switzerland....Pages 324-326 Historical and Organizational Influences Upon Surgical Research in the United Kingdom....Pages 327-335 Research Challenges and Solutions in the United States....Pages 336-343 Common Characteristics and Distinctive Diversity in Surgical Research: An International Analysis....Pages 344-355 Front Matter....Pages 357-357 Future Horizons in Surgical Research....Pages 359-367 Back Matter....Pages 369-381